Upcoming Events

Foyer Groups are Back!

A fun and easy way to meet other parishioners and enjoy their company in an informal setting! There is no agenda, no bible study, but a lot of fun and sharing! Groups are comprised of adults, couples, and singles, and meet every 4-6 weeks or so through June! 

Groups of 10-12 people will be randomly selected to make up a group (Don't Panic! Not everyone can come to every meeting). Groups meet wherever the host for that month prefers, restaurant, home, pot luck, grill out, etc. for a SIMPLE supper.

Join us for dinner on Wednesday, Sep 18 from 5:30-6:30 pm in Fowler Hall ($10 per plate), to meet your group. Questions? Call Jan Thornton in the church office at 601-982-4880.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSALS

Beginning on Wednesday, September 4, 5:15- 5:45 in the Gray Hall Choir Room.

All children 2nd - 5th Grade are welcome!  St. James’ has always entrusted its children with leading worship with their voices.  We look forward to expanding our children’s music ministry with our new director, SARAH ALTMAN, an alumna of Millsaps College with degrees in Vocal Music and Elementary Education.  Sarah currently sings with the 11:05 Choir and teaches piano lessons as well.  Choir ministry is a wonderful opportunity for our children to develop their musical and liturgical skills in preparation for leading church services throughout the year. For more info contact: sarah.altman.music@gmail.com.  Offered by St. James' Music Ministry and Children and Family Ministries

THE Mini M & M’s
Music & Movement Play Group for Babies, Toddlers, Two’s and Their Parents

Wednesdays, 5;45 - 6:15 pm in the Gathering Area on the 2nd floor of Gray Hall, Sep 11, 18, 25; Oct 2, 9, 16, 23; and Nov 6, 13, 20.

Children will sing, move to music, and experiment with rhythm and different instruments.
Led by Katie Hathcock, lead teacher and director of Jackson Music for Aardvarks, this class inspires a love for music and is preparation for future musical endeavors. 
Register at www.stjamesjackson.com under Children’s music or drop by to see the fun!
Offered by St. James' Children and Family Ministries

Children and Youth are Invited to Celebrate Their Birthdays with Their St. James’ Family!!!

on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at parish night supper.

Children and youth will gather on October 9 in Fowler Hall at 5:55 pm for a birthday prayer and blessing offered by one of the clergy.
We will sing happy birthday to everyone who has had or will have an October birthday and cut birthday cake! 
Birthday celebrations this fall: October 9, November 13, December 4(held on 1st Wednesday in December). 
Offered by St. James' Children and Family Ministries

ACOLYTE TRAINING

Sunday, Sep 22, from 10 – 10:45 am in the church

Any child in the 4 th grade or older as well as any adults who wish to be trained as acolytes are welcome to attend one of the training sessions. Parents are invited to attend with their children. If you have any questions or for more information contact Ray Lewis at rjlewis07@hotmail.com or 601-940- 0037.

CHILDREN’S Sunday School

9:50 am – 10:50 am

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, St. James' Christian formation program for children in Pre-K3 through 5th grade has begun!  All children are encouraged to participate. Church school occurs on the 2nd floor of Gray Hall for children 3rd grade and younger and on the third floor for 4th and 5th grade children. Register at www.stjamesjackson.com under the Children’s tab  or just come upstairs on Sunday morning!
For a guided tour of your child’s atrium (the specially prepared environment for religious formation for children) and an overview of the content your child will receive,
contact Mary Nell Prichard, mnprichard@stjjax.org or 601-664-8709.
Offered by St. James' Children and Family Ministries

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES FOR ADULTS

Parents and parishioners interested in helping  young children draw closer to God are invited to attend monthly classes to explore the scripture and liturgy presented to children 3 – 6 years old in the Level I atria at St. James’. 
During this retreat-like day, participants will explore the planes of development of early childhood, receive the Catechesis lessons as they are given to children and deepen their understanding of the mystery of early childhood and the mystery of God.  Classes meet one Saturday a month from 9 to noon with a nursery for children age 5 and under and from 1:15 to 4 pm. No afternoon nursery. 
For more info or to register, contact Mary Nell at mnprichard@stjjax.org.
Meeting dates:  September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 7.
Offered by St. James' Children and Family Ministries

Children and Families Ministries Committee

This committee has started planning several fun events for children and families this year!
If you are interested in serving on the committee, or if you have ideas or suggestions to share, please contact Meredith Aldridge (601.983.9113 or mereditha222@gmail.com). 
Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Guild Parlor.  

YOUTH WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMMING

Wednesdays, 5-7 pm.

As always, Wednesday night dinner is provided free of charge to all youth members.
From 5-6 each evening we will gather, share a meal, and catch up as usual.
Starting at 6 pm each Wednesday night, we will begin our Nooma video series, which is a program created by Rob Bell and deals with spirituality and scripture as it is found in the real world.
We will start as a group, and then break into smaller groups for discussion.
Don't worry if you miss a week, just join us next time!

HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Friday, Sep 20, 5:30 - 8:30 pm and Saturday, Sep 21, 9 am - 5 pm.

Both sessions are free and open to everyone, but registration is required. It is a fast paced course, filled with speakers, food and refreshments. Volunteers are dedicated individuals who give of themselves to help ensure the mission of hospice. Hospice Volunteers provide ongoing support and reassurance to patients and their families. Volunteers are an important part of the Hospice team and assist in a broad spectrum of services for patients and their families including direct services, (i.e. reading, listening), gardening, clerical support, emotional, spiritual and bereavement support. Contact Volunteer Services at 601- 898-1053 ext. 258 to register or if you have any questions about hospice care. Check out our website at www.hospiceministries.org under Volunteer Services for more information on Hospice Ministries.

Junior High DOY

September 20-22 at Camp Bratton-Green

Who? Junior High DOY is for youth in 6th -8th grades, and Senior High DOY is for youth in 9th -12th grades. Adults who work with youth are also invited to staff and participate in networking opportunities with other youth leaders! What? A Division of Youth (DOY) weekend retreat is full of spirituality, fun, getting messy, and just plain being yourself. Each semester has a unique theme, and is packed with faith, friends, music, games, and fun!
When? Registration begins on Friday night between 6-7 pm (be sure to eat supper before you arrive!) and the weekend ends on Sunday morning at 9 am.
Where? DOY weekends are held each semester at Camp Bratton-Green.

Register for DOY at https://diomsyouth.org.

St. James' First Sundays at Five

October 6, 5:00 pm Choral Evensong & Recital:

“Baltic Blessings.”
Our “First Sundays at Five” Choral Evensong series begins anew with music by Latvian composers Eriks Esenvalds (The “Merton College Evening Service”) and Peteris Vasks, setting Mother Teresa’s “The Fruit of Silence.” In recital following, MSO Concertmaster Marta Szlubowska and MSO musicians present the Jackson premiere of Polish composer
Grazyna Bacewicz’ “String Quartet #4.”

Worhip by candelight with Choral Evensong and stay to enjoy a brilliant contemporary string quartet!

GARDENING FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

The Children’s Garden on the south side of Gray Hall is open Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. 

There is always something to discover, taste, explore, plant, harvest or dig!
Parents and parishioners are welcome to work with the children, lounge and chat with friends or have a therapeutic moment of adult gardening.
Parents, please accompany young children to the garden.
Offered by St. James' Children and Family Ministries

Memorials at the Columbaria

Flowers and mementos left on the columbarium as memorials are a normal part of grieving and are allowed by the Church. Memorials may not be left at either of the inside columbaria. Only fresh flowers may be placed on the outside columbarium. St. James' will remove all flowers once they start to wilt. Mementos left on the outside columbarium will be removed daily. Due to the possibility of breakage and injury, glass of any sort is not allowed on the columbarium.

KNITTERS & CROCHETERS

We will gather to knit, crochet, and share stories together on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 2-4 pm in the Guild Parlor. Everyone is welcome to join us!

UPCOMING 2019 BAPTISM DATES

Sunday, Nov 3, All Saints Day. If you are interested in any of these baptism dates, contact kstephens@stjjax.org.

YOGA ON THE LABYRINTH
(Or in Oak Ridge Hall depending on the weather)

Sundays at 3 pm for about an hour-ish.

The class is for all levels (beginner to experienced). Bring a mat and a blanket (if you don't have a yoga blanket any beach towel will do - it is just for sitting on and padding our knees) and some water; if you want to bring blocks or straps that is fine as well. As this is a sacred space, all are invited to bring something 'sacred to them' to place on the Labyrinth. If you have any questions contact Ray at 601-940-0037 or rjlewis07@hotmail.com.

ART FOR THE SOUL

Come visit our display in Fowler Hall! The Order of the daughters of the King (DOK) is excited with our ministry: Art for the Soul. Each month different artists display their artwork, including paintings, pottery, jewelry and more. This program allows the artist to showcase and sell art to the members of St. James' as well as others who attend various programs throughout the month. DOK uses its proceeds from Art for the Soul to support outreach ministries. If you have any questions, special requests, or would like to make a purchase please contact Cathy Richardson at 601-572-5096.